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Wolfgang
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Username: Wolfgang

Post Number: 128
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 12:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My friend who lives in Tenn told me last night that Laurel Brook Academy is being investigated for child laobor laws and is being sued by the Federal Gov,and it has been on the TV news the past few days . Have any of you heard of this? I tried to pull something up but couldnt find anything. Dawn
Ikilgore
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Username: Ikilgore

Post Number: 30
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 1:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I haven't heard anything, but if that is true then that is great. They really should investigate the academy systems. I went to Great Lakes from 99-2000 for my junior year and I hated it. They treat you like you're a prisoner. Shut them down would be a great thing.
Lrcrabtree
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Username: Lrcrabtree

Post Number: 22
Registered: 1-2007


Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 2:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Labor Allegations - Statement by Laurelbrook Academy

By Chuck Hess, President

DAYTON, TN, February 22, 2007 ñ Laurelbrook Academy operates a ninth- through twelfth-grade high-school vocational educational program, which educates its students in the traditional academic disciplines and in practical skills. In conjunction with an ongoing investigation into Laurelbrook Academyís vocational educational program, the U. S. Department of Labor has brought suit against the vocational program at Laurelbrook, alleging that the program employs child labor in violation of federal regulations. Laurelbrook has cooperated fully with the Department of Laborís investigation into its vocational training program. Laurelbrook denies the Department of Laborís allegations; it does not illegally employ child labor. Laurelbrook has appealed the Department of Laborís initial allegations and is awaiting a hearing which will allow Laurelbrook to describe in full its vocational educational program to the Department. It, like hundreds of similar vocational education programs throughout the United States, is a fully licensed and accredited high school that offers vocational training as part of its education experience. Laurelbrook enforces rigorous safety standards and, in its more than fifty years of operation, has had a stellar safety record in its vocational training program. Laurelbrook looks forward to the opportunity to fully explain its program in connection with the pending court proceeding, and to demonstrate all of the inaccuracies in the Department of Laborís claims. In light of the ongoing litigation, Laurelbrook is unable to comment further.

Please keep us in your prayers that the name of the Lord may be given the honor and all the glory.

Here's the link to the document / statement itself:
http://www.my.highschooljournalism.org/tn/dayton/lba/article.cfm?eid=7582&aid=118672
Wolfgang
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Username: Wolfgang

Post Number: 130
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 5:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

its interesting that the satement says it's accrediated since the students still have to take a GED for completion ,alot of money just for your GED
Helovesme2
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Username: Helovesme2

Post Number: 843
Registered: 8-2004


Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 5:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here's a news writeup on the Laurelbrook investigation:

http://www.newschannel9.com/onset?id=9978&template=article.html&dateformat=%25M+%25e,%25Y
Lisa_boyldavis
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Username: Lisa_boyldavis

Post Number: 255
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 9:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Putting aside the fact that this is an SDA institution, and the fact that it is wrong to break laws... I miss the good ole days when kids could work. I picked strawberries as a kid. It was hot and real labor, but I wasn't a lost disgruntled kid with my neck bent to some video game like many these days that could use a chance to work. I know it's different when an institution uses kids to make a buck.. I guess I'm thinking that for a kid to learn a skill and gain confidence because he/she can work hard is something that helps kids, not hurts them. Having said that, there would be NO WAY we'd send our kids to any boarding school let along an SDA one!!

Thoughts on kids and work,
Lisa
Wolfgang
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Username: Wolfgang

Post Number: 131
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 12:50 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I actually visited this one and thought at one time of sending my son,God intervened and thankfully he didnt go,knowing some of the stories that have come out of that school and knowing folks who have pulled thier kids I wouldnt send my dog to that school.
Lrcrabtree
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Username: Lrcrabtree

Post Number: 23
Registered: 1-2007


Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 7:36 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It sounds to me like the DOL Investigator is a bleeding heart liberal. I went to an SDA Boarding School from 10th through 12th grades. My parents were dirt poor, so I had to work. At various times I worked in the boiler room, auto shop, grounds (doing everything from pulling weeds by hand to driving tractors) and the sawmill. At all times, I was instructed in the job and tools, and supervised by an adult. I was not allowed to drive or operate mechanical equipment until I was 16. Because of the training and exposure to various environments, I learned an awful lot about work in the real world. I'm sure my own parents would have also exposed me to this, but I had to work at school to afford the tuition, so that's where I learned a lot of life skills.

While I don't agree with the theology of SDA's any longer, I still firmly believe that I received a very good 'grounding' by the hard physical labor that I experienced as a 'child' when at boarding school (I stayed and worked there every summer also). The government has become way to 'protective' in our society. People are growing up expecting the government to provide care and feeding for them instead of being self reliant and responsible adults. Because of this, Boarding School could be a very good option for children who live where the government tries to be the Nanny (like California).

Lisa, unlike you, I have seriously considered sending my two youngest children to board high school (Not SDA). However this is solely because they only live with me 1/2 of the time. The other 1/2 of the time they are with their mother who is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, and needless to say is not Christian (we pray for her, and for the children all the time); so Boarding School would be a better and more consistent environment in the long run than the environment at their mother's house.

Just my two cents.....

Larry
Jdpascal
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Username: Jdpascal

Post Number: 45
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 1:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have to agree with the hesitancy to send children off to boarding school at a time of life when they need the parents the most.

Work is never a bad thing for a person and I learned some good (and bad) work habits working at a boarding school (as a village student). That was a loooooong time ago and the labor laws have changed in many ways and in many places since then. It sounds like this institution may not have kept up on the fine print. Maybe they are thinking ìfreedom of religionî.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5442
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 7:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agreeóunless there are extenuating circumstances (such as those it sounds as if your kids experience, Larry), I wouldn't send a teenager away to school. As for working, they actually can hold jobs and learn good work skills without going away to school.

Although I didn't attend boarding academy, I taught at one; kids really need their parents during their teens, unless their parents are unhealthy.

Colleen
Lucybugg
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Username: Lucybugg

Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 8:20 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am from the county where Laurelbrook is. I'm not surprised about the allegations. The nursing home/sanitarium is always advertising for workers in the local paper. I figured that they're utilizing the kids since they have a shortage.

I've always wondered about sending children off to boarding school right when they need their parents the most. I've told my husband on many occasions that he has difficulty parenting our teenagers because his father didn't parent him as a teen and hence he has no role model. Just my .02...
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 999
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 6:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Interestingly, my wife's late SDA uncle dedicated his retirement years to Laurelbrook Academy in running their boiler, etc. It is a very fanatical institution. Many teenage students live there the entire year, working in the vegetable gardens, cannery, nursing home, etc., not just during the school year. It is much like the private SDA academy near Knoxville, Tennessee. In touring Little Creek Academy near Knoxville many years ago, my wife and I considered it like a prison. I am not sure the school part of Little Creek Academy still exists. It may be entirely a private pay nursing home now.

Occasionally, like once a week, they used to allow boys and girls to eat together in the cafeteria to learn manners at the table. I know of one student who wisely ran away from the place. I used to work for fifty cents an hour, in my academy days in North Dakota, scrubbing the corners of tile floors on my hands and knees with a steel wool (not a pleasant memory). Although I never received in hand any of the meager wages, I was duped into paying tithe on it due to social pressure. Supposedly, this made me look good to the business office personnel.

Dennis Fischer
Ardyj
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Username: Ardyj

Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2006


Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 6:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All three of our children went to an SDA boarding academy. It seemed to be the ìthing to do at the timeî. That said, if we had it to do all over again; we never would have sent them. I truly believe that boarding schools, especially SDA ones, are going away, and thatís none too soon. I just heard that PVA in NE is closing for this year, they say, and all the students will be going to Enterprise in KS at this time. Actually, PVA seemed to be one of the better ones, as they did have work for the students. They had/still have a farm, there was a dairy (the cows were sold a year ago), and there was another industry, the name of which escapes me right now. Our youngest son went there all four years, worked on the dairy and on the farm when he was old enough to drive tractors. But then, he came from a farm background, as we were dairy farmers ourselves for several years and had sold the dairy about when he started academy. He learned a good work ethic, but no bragging intended, I think he probably had that before he went to the school. Our oldest son went to an academy that was borderline to say the least. It had only ìmake workî for the kids. He worked in the office, and learned some of the business practices utilized there that were ìborderline legalî to say the least. Possibly because the academy was always late paying its bills in the community. Who really knows for sure? Our daughter attended a couple different ones, and was not happy with the one she graduated from. She worked in various areas of the music department and offices and did OK.

There have always been problems with the sda boarding schools. The early academy here in SD where one of my aunt and uncles taught, had a high rate of teenage pregnancy, stories of drinking and all sorts of unsavory activities. (This was back in the 40ís and 50ís). I refused to go to an academy, being the ìrebelî of the family, my youngest brother was kicked out of one during the first semester, and my oldest brothers had some rather unusual experiences, which I may elaborate on another time. I might add though, that each of these were different academies, so the problems were everywhere! When our oldest son went to the academy in ND, he came home on a visit and told us this was the first time he had ever seen anybody drunk, besides telling us of the business office practices. Why we didnít tumble then with the sda stuff, I do not know; except that God has His own timetable.

If there are any regrets I have during my childrenís teenage years, it was that I wish they could have been home. There is so much we missed of those years. There are ìrumorsî that the teenage years are rather troublesome at times, but I wish so much that they would have been spent here with their parents instead of entrusting them to virtual strangers. We were too entrenched in sda beliefs to see beyond those beliefs at that time, so away the kids went.

Iím afraid I could go on, but have taken enough space for this session. Those children are too precious to send them away from mom and dad as virtual babies. I just praise God they have all grown up to be fantastic adults!

Ardyj
Raven
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Username: Raven

Post Number: 739
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 6:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Little Creek Academy was renamed Heritage Academy a few years ago - I have relatives, both my generation and the next generation who have graduated from Little Creek or Heritage depending on the time frame. I think the name change took place with a short distance move, but I'm not sure. I've seen Little Creek but have never been to Heritage.
Raven
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Username: Raven

Post Number: 740
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 7:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In looking up Heritage Academy in Tennessee on the internet, I find that they make no mention whatsoever of Little Creek even in their history, and they do not mention a nursing home as one of the work options. However, I do know that it wasn't long after Little Creek disbanded that someone decided the same type school was needed and so Heritage Acadmey was built as the typical self-supporting conservative (vegan only etc) SDA boarding academy.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5449
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 10:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, Ardyj, the teen years can be tumultuous, but I can't imagine having sent our sons away during those years. In spite of the normal rebellion that kids go through as an appropriate developmental stage, there were still memorable talks and events that I wouldn't have wanted to miss. The teen years in many ways were some of our best times with them.

But Ardyj, God wastes nothing and redeems everything we submit to Him. He is faithful both to our kids and to usóin spite of our moments of misguided good intentions. I'm thankful we can trust Him!

Colleen
Wolfgang
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Username: Wolfgang

Post Number: 132
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 4:36 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

im regards to Laurelbrook,my friends kids wemt there and they had CD's of differnt music that they were required to turn into the office after returning from a home visitmwell one child got kicked ot because he and a girl were spending too much time together,and the office was closed so he couldnt get his CD's back well a little time went by and he went to get his CD's again and was told the Dean burned them to save his soul. It's a very leaglistice institution, having met some of the staff there it's a place where the legalisitic kind flock too.
Lucybugg
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Username: Lucybugg

Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 5:34 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I read on the local news website that the Georgia Cumberland Conference is denying any direct affiliation or relationship with Laurelbrook. They've basically thrown them to the wolves.

My husband went to Little Creek Academy his sophomore year. Oh, the stories he tells. He worked in the dairy and the gardens. He's told me about the banquets and how the boys' and girls' names were drawn out of a hat and paired up.

The pastor of the adventist church I left lives on the Laurelbrook compound. His wife's family is somehow involved in the running of the school.
Pheeki
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Username: Pheeki

Post Number: 860
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 10:30 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I wouldn't send my dog to the academy I attended. And we paid for that crap!! Top dollar!
Pheeki
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Username: Pheeki

Post Number: 861
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 10:32 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I mean seriously...why do they exist? What is the purpose of the academies? To separate parents from their children so they can be indoctrinated/brainwashed into the church? Why would any prophet or church body think it is beneficial to separate children from their parents 4 years earlier than necessary?

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